rugged

rug·ged

adjective \ˈrə-gəd\

Definition of RUGGED

1

obsolete : shaggy, hairy

2

: having a rough uneven surface : jagged <rugged mountains>

3

: turbulent, stormy <rugged weather>

4

a : seamed with wrinkles and furrows : weathered —used of a human face

b : showing facial signs of strength <rugged good looks>

5

a : austere, stern

b : coarse, rude

c : rough and strong in character

6

a : presenting a severe test of ability, stamina, or resolution

b : strongly built or constituted : robust <those that survive are stalwart, rugged men — L. D. Stamp>

— rug·ged·ly adverb

— rug·ged·ness noun

Examples of RUGGED

1. the rugged surface of the moon
2. She did a painting of the region's rugged coastline.
3. People are attracted to his rugged good looks.
4. I admire her rugged individualism.

Origin of RUGGED

Middle English, from Middle English *rug

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to RUGGED

Synonyms

cast-iron, hard, hard-bitten, hardened, inured, hardy, stout, strong, sturdy, tough, toughened, vigorous

Antonyms

delicate, nonhardy, soft, tender, weak

Related Words

flinty, leathery, resilient, stalwart; durable, enduring, everlasting, immortal, imperishable, lasting, permanent, stable, staunch (also stanch), staying, tenacious, unyielding; flourishing, prospering, thriving; able-bodied, brawny, muscular; fit, fortified, hale, healthy, husky, lusty, red-blooded, robust, sound, strapping, virile; annealed, seasoned, tempered

Near Antonyms

emasculated, enervated, enfeebled, exhausted, run-down, sapped, wasted, weakened, worn, worn out; crippled, debilitated, diseased, incapacitated, infirm, unsound; fragile, frail, puny; resistless, sensitive, susceptible, unresistant, vulnerable, yielding; mortal, perishable, temporary, transient

See Synonym Discussion at rough